Editor’s Note: Week 2 of the high school football season is in the books, and that means it’s time for the Hartford Courant’s state coaches’ poll. Once again, FCIAC teams lead the way, as Darien and New Canaan top the rankings. Greenwich, Daniel Hand and Staples follow, with Windsor being the top team in the greater Hartford area. Check out the poll below.
First place points in parentheses, record through Saturday, points tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis, last week’s ranking and CIAC classification:
T1. Darien (5) 2-0 372 T1 L
KNOW THIS: An odd number of coaches vote in this poll in hopes that’ll cut down on the number of ties, yet here we are again with the Blue Wave and New Canaan sharing the top spot. Oh, well. It’s September. In other news, Darien held McMahon to 126 yards, including minus-8 yards on 10 carries, in last Friday’s 49-7 rout.
NEXT: at Windsor, Friday, 7 p.m.
T1. New Canaan (7) 2-0 372 T1 L
KNOW THIS: The Rams’ Luke Robinson completed 12 of 15 passes for 146 yards with three touchdowns to three different receivers as New Canaan rolled Fairfield Warde last Friday, 41-7.
NEXT: vs. Masuk, Friday, 7 p.m.
3. Greenwich 2-0 306 3 LL
KNOW THIS: M.J. D’Angelo threw four touchdown passes, including three to Matthew O’Donnell in the first quarter, in Saturday’s 37-7 win over Stamford.
NEXT: vs. Bishop Hendricken, R.I., Friday, 4:45 p.m.
4. Hand (1) 2-0 283 7 M
KNOW THIS: The defending Class M champs are this week’s big mover after they walloped then No. 5 Fairfield Prep last Friday, 34-3. Tigers’ linebacker Conor Casagrande led Hand’s dominating defensive performance with nine tackles, including three for a loss, and a forced fumble.
NEXT: at Berlin, Friday, 6:30 p.m.
5. Staples 2-0 266 6 LL
KNOW THIS: The Wreckers had two players finish with over 100 yards receiving in last Friday’s 35-7 thumping of Ridgefield — Shane Sandrew (12 catches, 143 yards, two touchdowns) and Justin Halky (five catches, 102 yards, two TDs).
NEXT: vs. Maloney, Friday, 7 p.m.
6. Windsor 2-0 245 4 MM
KNOW THIS: Warriors quarterback A.J. Robinson was knocked out in the second quarter of last Thursday’s game due to a shoulder injury and his team trailed Simsbury by 10 at the half. John Manning helped rally Windsor as he ran 40 times for 262 yards and a touchdown and threw an 18-yard touchdown pass in a 27-10 win.
NEXT: vs. Darien, Friday, 7 p.m.
7. St. Joseph 2-0 209 T8 M
KNOW THIS: The Cadets ripped through Westhill on Saturday, 44-0.
NEXT: vs. Bloomfield, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
This CT high school team looks to its own Touchdown Jesus to get the season back on track
8. Masuk 2-0 191 T8 MM
KNOW THIS: The Panthers scored 29 first-half points in last Friday’s 49-6 smashing of Enfield. This week’s game will be tougher. Much tougher.
NEXT: at New Canaan, Friday, 7 p.m.
9. West Haven 1-1 151 NR LL
KNOW THIS: The Westies make their season debut despite a Week 1 home loss to Greenwich (24-6). Four-year starter Nick Conlan threw for three touchdowns in last Friday’s 35-14 win over Shelton.
NEXT: vs. Hall, Friday, 6 p.m.
10. Newtown 2-0 139 NR LL
KNOW THIS: Jayden Taylor returned the opening kickoff for an 88-yard touchdown to start things rolling for the Nighthawks last Friday. Ayden Paulos added nine carries for 55 yards and two scores as Newtown blitzed New Fairfield, 50-14.
NEXT: at Southington, Friday, 7 p.m.
Dropped out: Fairfield Prep (5), Notre Dame-West Haven (10).
Also receiving votes: Bunnell (2-0), 114 points; Fairfield Prep (1-1), 107; Ansonia (2-0), 93; Maloney (1-1), 89; North Haven (1-1), 87; Killingly (2-0), 63; Naugatuck (2-0), 37; Tie, Brookfield (2-0) and New Britain (2-0), 31; Cromwell/Portland (2-0), 27; Sheehan (2-0), 24; Manchester (2-0), 21; Notre Dame-West Haven (1-1), 14; Berlin (1-1), 12; New Milford (2-0), 9; Trumbull (1-1), 8; Tie, Bloomfield (1-1) and Glastonbury (1-1), 7.
Voters: Erik Becker, Hand; Tom Brockett; Ansonia; Joe Della Vecchia; St. Joseph; Mike Ellis; Fitch; Rob Fleeting; Windsor; Kevin Frederick, Maloney; Tanner Grove; Montville; Andy Guyon; Xavier; Joe Lato; Woodland; Brian Mazzone; Stafford/East Windsor/Somers; Bryan Muller; Brookfield; Marce Petroccio; Trumbull; Nathan Tyler, Stratford.
Ned Griffen has obsessively covered state high school football since the mid-nineties, back when Dan Orlovsky was just a wiry teenager at Shelton High School. He was born in Texas thus he was genetically hardwired to love the sport. He enjoys heavy metal, pro wrestling, Jennifer Walters and being adored by cats and dogs everywhere.
